Date: 2026-07-27Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1856 of 24 July 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 on a European Union CSDP Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA)
**Executive Summary**
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1856, adopted on 24 July 2026, extends the mandate of the European Union CSDP Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) until 31 December 2026. This three-month extension is intended to facilitate the completion of a holistic strategic review of the mission and the associated CSDP Advisory Mission. A financial reference amount of EUR 1.54 million has been allocated to cover the mission's common costs for the final period of 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Mandate Extension**
* The termination date of the EUTM RCA mandate is amended from 19 September 2026 to 31 December 2026.
* The extension follows a recommendation by the Political and Security Committee to allow for the completion of a strategic review of both the EUTM RCA and the EU CSDP Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic.
**Financial Arrangements**
* The financial reference amount for the common costs of the mission from 20 September 2026 to 31 December 2026 is set at EUR 1.54 million.
* Regarding the reference amount mentioned in Article 51(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the percentage is established at 0% for both commitments and payments.
**Operational Context**
* The decision acknowledges that EUTM RCA operates in a situation that may deteriorate, potentially impeding the achievement of the Union's external action objectives.
* The decision entered into force on 24 July 2026, the date of its adoption.
**Impact Analysis**
**European Union CSDP Military Training Mission (EUTM RCA)**
**Impact**
The mission receives a short-term operational extension of approximately three months beyond its previous mandate. It is also granted additional funding of EUR 1.54 million to maintain operations during this period.
**Action Required**
The mission must continue its training activities and operations in the Central African Republic until the new end date of 31 December 2026.
**Council of the European Union / Political and Security Committee**
**Impact**
These bodies are provided with the necessary timeframe to evaluate the effectiveness and future direction of the Union's engagement in the region.
**Action Required**
Relevant EU bodies must complete the holistic strategic review of EUTM RCA and the EU CSDP Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic within the extended mandate period.
**European Union CSDP Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic**
**Impact**
This mission is directly included in the holistic strategic review process alongside EUTM RCA.
**Action Required**
The Advisory Mission must participate in and provide necessary input for the completion of the strategic review as mandated by the Council.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union CSDP Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA): The primary military training initiative established by the EU to support security sector reform in the host nation.
Decision (CFSP) 2016/610: The foundational legal act that established EUTM RCA and is the subject of amendment regarding its mandate and budget.
Council of the European Union: The primary legislative body responsible for adopting decisions related to the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Central African Republic: The sovereign location and primary beneficiary where the military training mission is deployed and operates.
Treaty on European Union: The primary legal framework providing the constitutional authority (Articles 42 and 43) for EU military missions.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/1856 27.7.2026
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1856
of 24 July 2026
amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 on a European Union CSDP Military Training Mission in the
Central African Republic (EUTM RCA)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2), thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 19 April 2016, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/610(1), which established a European Union CSDP
Military Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) with a mandate until 19 September 2018.
(2) On 8 July 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/1341(2), which extended the mandate of EUTM RCA
until 19 September 2026.
(3) On 26 June 2026, the Political and Security Committee recommended that the mandate of EUTM RCA be extended
by three months until 31 December 2026 to allow for the completion of the holistic strategic review of EUTM RCA
and of the European Union CSDP Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic.
(4) Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 should be amended accordingly.
(5) EUTM RCA will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement
of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 is amended as follows:
(1) in Article 10, the following paragraph is added:
‘9. The financial reference amount for the common costs of EUTM RCA for the period from 20 September 2026
until 31 December 2026 shall be EUR 1,54 million. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 51(2)
of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall be 0 % in commitments and 0 % for payments.’;
(2) in Article 13, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
‘2. The mandate of EUTM RCA shall end on 31 December 2026.’.
(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 of 19 April 2016 on a European Union CSDP Military Training Mission in the Central African
Republic (EUTM RCA) (OJ L 104, 20.4.2016, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2016/610/oj).
(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1341 of 8 July 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/610 on a European Union CSDP Military
Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM RCA) (OJ L, 2025/1341, 9.7.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/
1341/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1856/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 27.7.2026
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 24 July 2026.
For the Council
The President
T. BYRNE
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1856/oj